Girlfriend in a Coma (song)

"Girlfriend in a Coma"
Single by the Smiths
from the album Strangeways, Here We Come
B-side	"Work Is a Four-Letter Word" "I Keep Mine Hidden"
Released	10 August 1987
Recorded	March–April 1987
Studio	The Wool Hall, Beckington, Somerset
Genre	Alternative rock indie pop reggae[1]
Length	2:02
Label	Rough Trade
Songwriter(s)	Johnny Marr, Morrissey
Producer(s)	Morrissey, Johnny Marr, Stephen Street
The Smiths singles chronology
"Sheila Take a Bow" (1987) "Girlfriend in a Coma" (1987) "I Started Something I Couldn't Finish" (1987)
Music video
"Girlfriend In A Coma" on YouTube

"Girlfriend in a Coma" is a song by the English rock band the Smiths, written by singer Morrissey and guitarist Johnny Marr. It was the first of three UK singles from the band's fourth and final studio album, Strangeways, Here We Come. Inspired by the song "To Be Young, Gifted and Black", "Girlfriend in a Coma" features a lilting acoustic guitar line performed by Marr and lyrics about a hospital-bound lover sung by Morrissey.

"Girlfriend in a Coma" was released as a single in August 1987, reaching number 13 in the UK Singles Chart. The single features a cover of the Cilla Black song "Work Is a Four-Letter Word" on the B-side, a decision made by Morrissey that infuriated Marr to the point that it became a reason for the band's break-up in the aftermath of the single's release. As a result, Morrissey appears alone in the song's music video.

"Girlfriend in a Coma" has seen critical acclaim for Marr's guitar work and Morrissey's witty lyricism. It has since appeared on multiple compilation albums and has been ranked by music writers as one of the band's best songs.